The Kioma State School in Queensland has been awarded brand new footballs to recognise their achievement within the drumMUSTER program.
More than 31,400 empty agvet containers have been collected by the school’s P&C Association, which offers the service in conjunction with Goondiwindi Regional Council. This accomplishment comes after only one year of operation.
“It’s been a pleasure working with the Kioma State School. They have a passion to improve drum returns in the area and the number of containers returned this year is testament to their desire to support the program,” said regional consultant Colin Hoey.
Kioma State School is located 76km north west of Goondiwindi and has been operating for 56 years. Due to the remote location, fundraising events are hard to make profitable.
“Being able to collect drums for drumMUSTER has alleviated some of the pressure put on parents to find profitable activities,” said P&C Treasurer Steve Wilkins.
“We live in a large and very supportive community that is predominately cropping based. When we approached local landholders about collecting their empty chemical drums for recycling, the support was fantastic,” he added.
Mr Hoey believes the children benefit greatly from the work of the P&C Association.
“In a small community such as Kioma, the dollars raised are vital. The parents are prepared to go to great lengths to improve facilities at the school and in turn help the environment,” said Mr Hoey.
The program has also made the children aware of the importance of recycling.
“The kids know that the money raised through drumMUSTER goes towards their school bus, camp and purchasing other resources,” said Mr Wilkins.
In 2008 the school lost its government funded bus run and this affected the number of students able to attend school. The P&C Association purchased a second hand bus in 2009 to transport students and this was a major factor in securing students in ensuing years.
Since then, the operating costs of the bus have been primarily funded by the P&C through fundraising, along with community support of local landholders. However, the bus has now reached in excess of 300,000kms on gravel roads and urgently needs maintenance.
Mr Wilkins said, “The beauty of the drumMUSTER program is that it’s an ongoing fundraiser for the school for years to come. Now that contacts have been made, farmers regularly stockpile their drums for collection.”
In 2014 enrolments reached a peak of 22 students, compared to 8 in 2010. The school is in the process of applying for a government funded bus run as they now have the numbers to do so. If successful, drumMUSTER will remain one of their primary fundraising incomes.
Mr Hoey and drumMUSTER wish the Kioma State School community group all the success they deserve.
Kioma State School accepts drums on an ongoing basis. All containers presented at the collection must meet the program’s cleanliness standards. Containers must be free of any chemical residue to ensure the safety of handlers.
For more information, contact Steve Wilkins on 0429 899 459. To learn more about the drumMUSTER program, call 1800 008 007.
Kioma State School: Ayla Mulckey, Steve Wilkins, Ewen Beaton, Brett Crawley, Donald Thorn, Lijiana Burrows, Rhay-lee Kenyon, Jaykob Burrows, Lilly Knight, Wyley Thorn, Dakoda Stanley, Telia Kenyon, Chloe Wilkins, Holly Beaton, Ella Wilkins, Nyah Thorn, Piper Beaton, Mr Joey Campbell (Principal), Chelsea Mullins, Campbell Crawely, Flynn Mulckey and Keely Thorn.